"I... I am the son of the current Prime Minister, and I have also received the grace of the Emperor to become a Jinshi, so even capital punishment can be redeemed..."
After stuttering for a long time, Cai Tao finally managed to utter another sentence.
"That's right, Scholar Cai is correct. Under normal circumstances, given your noble status, you merely beat a commoner to death in the street. One hundred and twenty jin of copper coins would be enough! But have you perhaps forgotten an old matter?"
As Zhang Shaoyou said this, Cai Tao's entire body trembled, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to his knees.
"If my memory serves me correctly, in the first year of Daguan, Scholar Cai, relying on his early success, rode his horse in the street and trampled three innocent civilians to death. Even the Prime Minister's son could not escape impeachment. It was only then that the Emperor issued a decree, allowing you to redeem your sentence. However, it was explicitly stated at the time that this would be the last time, and any future offense would be met with true punishment!"
Upon hearing Zhang Shaoyou utter these words, Cai Tao's body began to shake uncontrollably. He plopped down onto the ground. Indeed, what he feared most had come to pass. Zhang Shaoyou knew him far better than he imagined!
Even such a trivial matter, almost forgotten by himself, had been dug up by Zhang Shaoyou at this very moment. He was truly in for a world of trouble!
This was truly a case of reaping what you sow.
The bitter fruit sown in his youthful ignorance seemed to have all come back to haunt him now!
"I am the son of the Prime Minister!"
Seeing the bailiffs closing in, Cai Tao, in his panic, again invoked his father's name.
"Indeed, you are the Prime Minister's son, and you have also received the Emperor's grace to become a Jinshi. You've already said this. According to the court's laws, your crime can be reduced by two degrees!"
Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Shaoyou interrupted him again. Based on Zhang Shaoyou's assessment, if the charges against him were proven, the verdict would be immediate execution.
Even if his sentence could be reduced, it would be hanging. Another degree of reduction would mean exile of three thousand li at the very least, to be banished to Shamen Island!
"Crime... reduced by two degrees..."
Cai Tao couldn't help but repeat Zhang Shaoyou's words.
"Scholar is indeed correct, but your crime seems to be more complicated than that. Have you forgotten that there is someone else imprisoned here? He has already confessed that everything he did was at your instigation, Scholar. All the money and provisions obtained through corruption have all gone into the pawnshop run by your wife's brother. Do you have anything to say about this? If you cannot explain this matter clearly, your wish for a reduced sentence will likely be in vain..."
Seeing that this young man had walked right into his trap today, Zhang Shaoyou was certainly prepared to give him a piece of his mind.
He had been in Kaifeng Prefecture for so long, and had even served as a magistrate there before. His familiarity with the court's laws far surpassed Cai Tao's.
These few simple sentences sent a chill down Cai Tao's spine. The hand hidden in his sleeve began to tremble.
He might not remember other clauses clearly, but there was one that he remembered vividly. Emperor Taizong had personally issued an order:
"Since the tenth month of the first year of Taiping Xingguo, scholars and officials in the capital and provinces who are found guilty of corruption and are banished to other prefectures, even if there is a general amnesty, shall not be allowed to return. If they are pardoned, the authorities shall not promote them."
In other words, if the crime of corruption were proven, even if he were the Prime Minister's son, even if his father had immense power, his father might be able to save his life and allow him to return safely from exile.
But even if he returned, his political career would be over forever.
"The authorities shall not promote them." These simple six words would forever separate him from the center of power!
For someone like him, being excluded from the power hierarchy was no different from being dead!
"He's talking nonsense! This was clearly his own doing, what does it have to do with me? The dealings between those people and the pawnshop were just normal transactions. You are framing me, a blatant frame-up!"
Casually wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Cai Tao nervously began to quibble again.
No matter what, he dared not let this crime be confirmed, or else he would truly be finished!
Perhaps his father could find other ways to deal with the murder. After all, he was the current Prime Minister and had served the Emperor for fifteen years. If he were to put aside his pride and beg, it might not be impossible for the Emperor to grant his request.
But if the crime of corruption were proven, even his father would find it difficult to open his mouth to the Emperor...
"You speak so lightly. But Scholar, have you forgotten something? You are running a pawnshop! If it were normal transactions, wouldn't those people have to pawn something to justify a box worth several thousand taels? "
As Zhang Shaoyou spoke, he took out a confession from his sleeve and threw it in front of Cai Tao.
Cai Tao instinctively picked up the confession. After a glance, his vision swam, and he almost fainted on the spot.
"When others conduct such business, they would at least put some fake antiques or calligraphy and paintings in the box. But young Scholar Cai, your business is truly remarkable. An empty broken wooden box, and you dare to pawn it for six thousand taels of silver? Should I say you are foolish and have too much money, or should I say you are greedy beyond measure?"
"I, I..."
Looking at the disdainful expression on Zhang Shaoyou's face, Cai Tao was truly speechless.
At this moment, he only wished he had never trusted that scoundrel!
Entrusting such an important transaction to his greedy brother-in-law!
He had overlooked his brother-in-law pocketing small sums of money from his business. But he never expected him to be so insatiably greedy that he embezzled all the money meant for purchasing calligraphy and paintings!
He didn't even bother to put a fake piece of art in the box...
"It seems Scholar has nothing more to say. In that case, please trouble Scholar to come with me to Kaifeng Prefecture. Rest assured, you are the son of the Prime Minister, and a scholar of the Baohe Hall. I, a mere Junior Judge of Kaifeng Prefecture, truly do not have the authority to strip you of your official hat. However, I will report this matter to the Emperor, and we shall await the Emperor's decree here. Please, Scholar Cai!"